Magellan Aerospace and BAE Systems have signed an agreement to continue the production of horizontal tail assemblies for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II fighter.
The horizontal tail assembly assists a plane in maintaining its center of gravity and stabilization during flight. Once delivered, the structure will be installed on the F-35 conventional takeoff and landing variants.
Under the contract, Magellan will manufacture over 1,000 chipsets of the part.
Work for the program will be conducted at Magellan’s facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Maintaining Maximum Production Rate
According to Magellan, the latest contract builds on a partnership with BAE Systems established in 2006.
The firms have made many strides throughout their partnership in making the assembly for the global F-35 program, including investments in technologies, facilities, and training.
“Magellan has been able to achieve and maintain the maximum production rate per year during the COVID-19 crisis,” Magellan CEO and President Phillip Underwood explained.
“The award of this agreement to Magellan and the ongoing demand for horizontal tails will enable our rate to be maintained for another three years.”
“Magellan is proud to be contributing on a critical program, from the earliest days, supporting all of the global customers in this unprecedented international enterprise.”
Lockheed Martin produces F-35s for eight international partners and participates in foreign military sales with eight other nations.
Magellan’s Other F-35 Project
In November, Magellan Aerospace received a contract from Lockheed Martin to deliver machine titanium components for F-35 production.
The components will be used for tie bars that act as an adhesive between bordering and adjoining parts of the plane’s wing flap to prevent damage in flight.
This development covers all three variants of the F-35 fighter.
